Table of Contents
Contact Information 3
Mission Statement 3
Core Values 3
Early Childhood Education Standards 3
Philosophy on Education 4
Programs Offered 4
Family Involvement 4
Emergent Learning 5
Parent and Family Definitions 5
Parent-Educator Partnership 5
Discipline Policy 5
Supplies to Provide Our Center With 6
Items from Home (including Birthday Parties) 6
Child Pick-Up Authorization 7
Incl
ement Weather Closures 7
Holiday Closures 7
Attendance: Late Arrivals, Vacations and Absences 8
Record-Keeping 8
Privacy and Confidentiality 8
Child Abuse/Neglect 9
Medication on Premises 9
Fees and Payment Schedule 9
Meals 10
Document Return 10
Appendix A: Illnesses or Symptoms 10
Appendix B: Conditions That Do Not Require Exclusion 11
Appendix C: Emergency Medical Services 12
Appendix D: Emergency Response Plan 13
Contact Information
Center Name Hand in Hand Learning Center
Address 206 North Pittman Prairie Grove, AR 72753
Phone Number (479) 846-0200
Additional Information Director- Stacye Stewart
Assistant Director- Marci Reynolds
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide each child with a strong foundation for life-long learning and inspiration to excel through our theme-based curriculum focused on academics as well as social-emotional development in a safe, nurturing environment. Core Values
The safety and well-being of children is our top priority. We highly value keeping parents involved with our activities and creating an environment where everyone is welcome. This provides the children of our program an environment where they can learn and in turn, ease the transition between home and school. Early Childhood Education Standards
Hand in Hand Learning Center follows the requirements and guidelines presented in the Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers. This Licensing book is published by the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Child Care Licensing Unit. Our facility is also a part of the Better Beginnings Program of Arkansas. This is a program designed to improve the level of quality in childcare and early childhood education programs across the state. Philosophy on Education
At Hand in Hand Learning Center, our goal is to provide a secure child and parent centered environment where all children, parents and their families feel welcomed and valued. Children participate in a program of educationally challenging activities and supportive personal interactions planned to foster their social, physical, emotional and intellectual development. All staff are responsible for working with children, parents, their important family members, and other staff members in the spirit of collaboration and dedication. Our education philosophy is that young children develop and learn best when they have opportunities to:
• Observe and be part of respectful, supportive and friendly adult-child and child-child interactions
• Engage in the experimenting, exploring, creating, discovering and idea-sharing which are all part of the children’s activities adults describe as ‘child’s play’
• Make choices and become involved in activities that are personally and developmentally right for them
Programs Offered
We provide different programs that are catered to the ages and needs of each child. Our programs include:
• Infant- 6 weeks up to 36 months (1 teacher to 5 student ratio)
• Toddler- 18- 36 months (1 teacher to 9 student ratio)
• Preschool – 2.5 years up to school age (1 teacher to 12-15* student ratio)
• School age (before and after school, summer programs)
*The preschool ratio of one teacher to 15 students will be allowed when ALL students are four years of age or older. Family Involvement
Family involvement is as integral a component of high-quality child care as providing direct education and care to children. We respect and support families by maintaining ongoing communication between Educators and parents (and other important family members). Educators communicate with families through regular parent-Educator communication, daily reports for infant-age children, bulletin board displays of children’s learning, and a myriad of informal ways of staying on site and interact frequently with families, Educators and children. This way immediate concerns can be properly addressed before minor problems become big ones. Emergent Learning
Educators use assessment results to create appropriate goals for each child. These goals are used to generate daily, weekly, and monthly curriculum plans. Educators use observation and assessment results to guide program planning and to create an individualized curriculum. The use of systematic assessment as a basis for classroom planning is an integral part of our emergent learning approach. Parent and Family Definitions
In the Parent Handbook, and in all other forms and correspondence in use at our organization, we use the term ‘parent’ or ‘parents’ to indicate the adult or adults legally responsible for the child. A parent can be the child’s biological parent, a step-parent, a foster parent, an adoptive parent, or a legal guardian assigned by the court. You (the parent) tell us who you include when you use the term ‘family’. This can include a child’s sisters, brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, but it can also include friends and neighbors that are dear and important to you. Some rights and responsibilities belong to parents alone – such as enrolling the child in the program, granting permission for your child to take trips with the class, accountability for any fees and consulting with the Educator or others about a child’s needs, behavior or performance. Parents tell us which family members and friends are allowed to pick up their children from our center and who should be notified in case of an emergency. Parent-Educator Partnership
The Lead Educator in your child’s classroom is in charge of the curriculum, schedule and supervision of all other staff in that room. Feel free to reach out Stacye or Marci to discuss any concerns or questions with/about the lead Educator. Parents are permitted to visit our center at any time. Feel free to join the classroom activities and accompany us on field trips. Signs, permission slips and sign-up sheets give details about events and trips, including how parents or other adult family members can help. The ultimate goal of parent-educator communication is fostering a lifelong, rich relationship between a child and his or her parent(s). Discipline Policy
It is strongly against our policy to physically discipline children (no spanking, hitting or shaking). We do not believe in threatening shaming or belittling children for misbehavior. We never withhold or threaten to withhold food as a form of discipline, nor do we bribe children with food or any other treat in order to get them to do what we want. Classroom Educators embrace and uphold a few basic rules and routines and give warnings and reminders (for scheduled transitions as well as for rules of behavior). Gently and consistently, Educators insist on compliance. In general, we try not to say ‘no’ and ‘don’t’. Educators make an effort to frame directions in positive language (instead of ‘don’t run’, we say ‘walk indoors, please’). This policy is in compliance with the Behavior Guidance Requirements that can be found in the Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers published by the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. Supplies to Provide Our Center With
Clothing: If your child had a busy and involved day at school, chances are he or she got at least a little dirty. Please be sure to always send at least 1 change of clothes for your child daily. Dress your child in comfortable, washable play clothes. Flexible, closed toe, rubber soled shoes (like sneakers) are the safest. Your child will more than likely get dirty due to outside play or an art activity. With this in mind, please send your child in clothes that may get dirty to prevent ruining any nice clothes you may want for other occasions. Diapers: Diapers must be provided by the family. The facility will provide wipes and general diapering creams. If any specialized medical cream is needed, it will need to be provided along with filling out the appropriate medical release paperwork from the facility. Formula: Hand in Hand will provide one type of formula for the infant room. The type of formula will be determined by what is needed for the majority of formula users. If the type of formula your child needs is not provided, the parent will provide it. Sunscreen and Bug spray: We ask that all parents provide one can of aerosol sunscreen and bug spray for their child for outside time. These (unless otherwise stated) will be put into a bin for use by all the students of Hand in Hand. Items from Home (including Birthday Parties)
Every Friday Hand in Hand has a show and tell day, so your child may bring a toy to show and share with their friends. Though most toys are allowed, the following type of toys are not allowed:
• Weapons of any kind (guns, knives, swords, play grenades, etc)
• Make up of any kind (lipsticks, powders, creams, fingernail polish
This is to ensure the safety and health of all of the children that are in our care. Birthday parties are allowed within the facility. If there are any allergies please let the administration know so that appropriate procedures can be followed. If there are any questions about what is and is not allowed for birthday parties, please contact the administration. Child Pick-Up Authorization
Children are only permitted to be picked up by those the enrolling parent(s) authorize. These persons are listed on the pick-up card. Keep the list up-to-date. If you need to ask someone to pick up your child who is NOT on the card, please notify us ahead of time, either in person or by telephone. Anyone picking up a child should be prepared to supply photo identification. Inclement Weather Closures
We aim to notify parents at least 24 hours in advance of any anticipated closures due to inclement weather, most notably in the case of a major snow or ice storm. It is possible that in some cases 24 hours notice is not available. All family members will be notified by phone and via our page of any center closures as soon as possible. If you do not receive a phone call regarding a weather related closure, assume the center is open as usual. Holiday Closures
Our Center will be closed on the following holidays:
• New Year’s Eve/Day
• Spring break (in accordance with Prairie Grove School district, the tuition will be half of regular tuition for this week only)
• Memorial Day
• Fourth of July
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving and Day after
• Christmas Eve/ Day
If the holiday falls on a Saturday, the facility will be closed the Friday before. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the facility will be closed the Monday following said holiday. There will be an official list of days closed provided by our staff that will be sent home to refer to, and there will be a note posted on the door of the facility closer to time of closing. Attendance: Late Arrivals, Vacations and Absences
It is understandable that at times families get busy and a late arrival is unavoidable. Where at all possible, please be sure to drop-off your child on time. We ask that all students arrive by 9 am to get the full benefit of the program. Late arrivals can disrupt daily routines for your child. If you know your child will be late, please contact the facility to ensure their spot is open for the day. If your child arrives after 9 am, and the facility has not been contacted, your child will be considered absent for the day and staff arrangements will be made according to child ratio. This means that a staff member may be sent home and that there will not be room for your child to attend our facility that day due to state mandated ratios having to me maintained. Vacation absence should be discussed with your educator directly. You will be responsible for all center fees during this time. The parent is responsible for paying for the position of the child, not just the days present. If your child becomes ill with a fever, it’s important to keep them home for the day. See Appendix A for details on when to keep your child home with an illness. Record-Keeping
It is extremely important to tell us about changes in home address, home phone number, workplace (or school), work (or school) address, work (school) telephone, and cell phone of parents in the home, emergency contacts and all those authorized to pick up the child. For your child’s welfare we must be able to reach you (or your alternative emergency contacts), all day, every day. Keep us informed daily of phone number changes. All pertinent information related to your child’s health should be updated regularly, including allergies, food restrictions, medical procedures, health conditions, your pediatric health provider’s name, address and phone number. Privacy and Confidentiality
Types of information which are kept confidential and shared only with those who need it to carry out their jobs include: medical history including any current or suspected medical problems; family status; financial information; and other personal issues like family matters or children’s behaviors. Access to written records is restricted to administrative staff, state monitors, and the Educators directly responsible for the child. In order for records to be released to any other person, school or agency, written permission is needed from the child’s parent. Areas of concern (like problem behavior or other special needs) are discussed with parents in private and in a problem-solving manner, respecting the roles we all can play in helping children feel competent and successfully become part of the group. Child Abuse/Neglect
If there is any abuse or neglect suspected of any children in our care, our team is required to report it to Child Protective Services. Please be aware also that children will not be released to impaired individuals. If our team has reason to believe that any family member or guardian picking up a child is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, an emergency contact will be called to pick up the child and the incident will be reported. Medication on Premises
Hand in Hand will administer prescribed medications to your child, as long as it is a current prescription that has the child’s name on the original prescription label and is in its original bottle. A medical release form will be filled out by the parent allowing for the provider to know the amount and times appropriate to administer the medication. Please provide us with any medications that your child would need in an emergency (for example, asthma medications, or an EpiPen for allergic reactions). Complete and sign a medication checklist. Under no circumstances may children hold their own medicines, and medications may never be kept in children’s cubbies. [Nothing may be in the classroom labeled ‘Keep Out of Reach.’]
Fees and Payment Schedule
We strive to help out our families as much as possible. It is understood that not all employers pay their employees on the same schedule as others. A plan needs to be established with the administration on the schedule of tuition payment. This may be a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments. We accept payments in the form of cash, check, money order, or debit card. If a card is used, a fee of $7 will be applied in addition to the payment amount. If using cash, check, or money order for payment, please insert it into the appropriate envelope that is located on the “Tuition Due” Board. From there, please insert it into our secure tuition box located next to the announcement board. Records of all payments will be kept at the facility, and a large receipt will be provided at the end of the year for tax purposes. If you wish to have your receipts regularly, please ask the administrator on hand for a copy of it. Hand in Hand also has a two-week notice policy. We require a two week notice if a child is going to be removed from the program. For more information on this policy, you may contact the administration, or see the page in the enrollment packet provided. Meals
Hand in Hand is a participant of the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program). An enrollment packet will be provided for the parent/guardian to fill out and return to the facility. This is a required packet to be filled out and turned into the facility. We provide warm, healthy, and balanced meals for our children. These meals include:
• Breakfast
• Morning Snack
• Lunch
• Afternoon Snack
We also provide infant formula, food, and cereal to our infants when it is age appropriate. Parents may provide these items for their infant if they would like, but it is provided by our facility and covered by the tuition. Document Return
Hand in Hand provides an enrollment packet, emergency card, and food program enrollment packet that need to be filled out and returned as soon as possible to the facility so that we may maintain our records. We also require that a current shot record is provided to keep on file, and a new copy is required when new immunizations have been administered. Appendix A: Illnesses or Symptoms
Please do not bring your child into the center if they have any of the following illnesses or symptoms. If you are unsure about whether you should bring your child into the center, please contact us. A) The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities as determined by the staff;
B) The illness results in a greater need for care than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children as determined by the staff;
C) The child has any of the following conditions, unless a health professional determines the child’s condition does not require exclusion:
- Appears to be severely ill – this could include lethargy/lack of responsiveness, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or having a quickly spreading rash
- Temperature, oral temperature 101 or greater, axillary (armpit) temperature 100 or greater, accompanied by behavior changes or other signs or symptoms of illness
- Uncontrolled diarrhea, defined by more watery stools, decreased form of stool that is not associated with changes of diet. Exclusion is required for all diapered children whose stool is not contained by the diaper, and toilet-trained children if the diarrhea is causing ‘accidents’. Re-admission after diarrhea can occur when diapered children have their stool contained by the diaper (even if the stools remain loose) and when toilet-trained children do not have toileting accidents. Special circumstances that require specific exclusion criteria include the following:
o Toxin-production E coil or Shigella infection, until the diarrhea resolves and the test results of 2 stool cultures are negative for these organisms. o Salmonella serotype Typhi infection, until diarrhea resolves. In children younger than
5 years with Salmonella serotype Typhi 3 negative stool cultures are required
- Blood or mucus in the stools not explained by dietary change, medication or hard stools
- Vomiting two or more times in the previous 24 hours unless the vomiting is determined to be due to a non-communicable condition and the child is not in danger of dehydration
- Persistent abdominal pain (continues more than 2 hours) or intermittent pain associated with fever or other signs of symptoms
- Mouth sores with drooling unless the child’s physician or local health department authority states the child is non-infectious
- Rash with fever or lethargy / decreased activity until a physician has determined the illness not to be a communicable disease
- Tuberculosis, until the child’s physician or local health department authority states the child is on appropriate treatment and can return
- Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment has begun
- Streptococcal pharyngitis (i.e. strep throat or other streptococcal infection), until 24 hours after treatment has been started
- Head lice (pediculosis), until after the first treatment
- Scabies, until after treatment has been given
- Varicella+ (chicken pox), until all lesions have dried and crusted (usually six days)
- Persistent abdominal pain (continues for more than 2 hours) or intermittent abdominal pain associated with fever, dehydration, or other sign or symptoms of illness
- Rubella+, until 6 days after rash appears
- Pertussis+, until 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment
- Mumps+, until 5 days after onset of parotid gland swelling
- Measles+, until 4 days after rash appears
- Hepatitis A virus infection, until 1 week after onset of illness or jaundice or as directed by the health department
Appendix B: Conditions That Do Not Require Exclusion
The following conditions do not require exclusion to control spread of disease to others.
- Common colds, runny nose (regardless of color or consistency of nasal discharge), and coughs
- Watery eye discharge without fever, eye pain, or eyelid redness
- Yellow or white eye drainage that is not associated with pink or red conjunctiva (i.e. the whites of the eyes)
- Rash without fever and behavior changes
- Ringworm (exclusion for treatment that may be delayed until the end of the day)
- Thrush (i.e. white spots or patches in the mouth)
- Fifth disease (slapped cheek disease, parvovirus B19)
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, without an infection or illness that would otherwise require exclusion. Known MRSA carriers or colonized individuals should not be excluded
- Cytomegalovirus infection
- Chronic hepatitis B virus infection
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Exclusion of an HIV-infected child whose immunologic deficiency poses a risk from exposures of the HIV-infected child to other children’s infections should be decided on a case-by-case basis by health professionals
- The presence of infectious germs in stool or urine without illness symptoms (exceptions include potentially serious organisms [ex. Escherichia coli (E C**t) 0157:H7 or Shigella must be excluded until 2 stool cultures are negative and the child is cleared to return by local health department officials. Children with 5 serotype Typhi must be excluded until 3 stool cultures are negative, and they are cleared by health professional or local health department officials
Appendix C: Emergency Medical Services
Call 911 immediately for any of the following situations:
- Anytime you believe a child needs immediate medical assessment and treatment that cannot wait for parents to take the child for care; fever in association with abnormal appearance, difficulty breathing, or a problem with circulation indicated by abnormal skin color, such as looking exceptionally pale, having a bluish tone, or having skin that is exceptionally pink
- Multiple children affected by injury or serious illness at the same time
- A child is acting strangely, is much less alert, or is much more withdrawn than usual
- Rhythmic jerking of arms and legs and a loss of responsiveness (seizure – except for a child who is known to have seizures and for whom a care plan is in place for management of seizures without calling 911)
- Vomiting blood
- Severe stiff neck (limiting child’s ability to put his or her chin to chest) with headache and fever
- Severe dehydration with sunken eyes, lethargy, no tears, and not urinating
- Suddenly spreading purple or red rash
- A large volume of blood in the stools
- Hot or cold weather injuries (e.g., frostbite, heat exhaustion)
Situations that require urgent medical attention (these conditions do not necessarily need EMS or ambulance transport if parent notification and transport to medical care can be achieved within an hour or so):
- Fever in a child of any age who looks more than mildly ill
- Appearing and acting very ill for a child of any age
- Severe vomiting and/or diarrhea
- An injury that may require medical treatment, such as a cut that does not hold together after it is cleaned
- Any animal bite that breaks the skin
- Venomous bites or stings with spreading local redness and swelling, or evidence of general illness
- Any medical condition that is outlined in the child’s care plan as requiring medical attention
Appendix D: Emergency Response Plan
The following are recommended actions to take in an emergency:
- Whether a crisis takes the form of a family emergency, local disaster or a national event, follow your usual family routines as closely as possible. Eat meals, go to bed and spend your time together in much the same way as you typically do. If an emergency strikes when children are at school, we will follow our daily program with as little disruption as possible, too. Children feel secure with familiar routines. It helps them sort out what has changed, and what will stay the same. If children can count on parents and Educators to remain calm, answer their questions openly and honestly and respond reassuringly to their anxiety and fear, they will learn how to cope with crisis situations.
- The director contact local, state, and federal officials, and listens to the news to stay on top of what is happening and how we should respond. As soon as we receive instructions from the authorities, the director meets with the management team to execute the recommended course of action.
- Administrators will quietly inform Educators of the situation. We ask all adults – Educators and parents – to limit discussion of traumatic events around the children.
- Likewise, we suggest you limit children’s exposure to news reports of disasters on TV or on the radio at home. We respond to questions openly and honestly, but with comfort and reassurance.
- Administrators will talk with Educators about developing plans and ensure that usual routines with children are followed with as little disruption as possible.
- We will remain available at the front desk to field incoming phone calls. Immediate Emergency Evacuation
If building occupants are in any immediate danger, we will evacuate immediately. We will follow the usual evacuations routine that we practice. We always bring attendance sheets and emergency information for all enrolled children whenever we evacuate. On the rare occasion that we evacuate and can’t return to the center, we telephone parents and ask that children be picked up from our emergency location. The first few parents who arrive may be asked to help us make these phone calls. A staff member is stationed by the center to direct parents to our emergency spot. If you arrive to drop off or pick up your child and we’re in the midst of an evacuation, you may not know if this is practice or a real emergency. It is critical that we keep track of each and every child in our care during evacuations. Therefore, do not drop off or pick up your child until you have been instructed you may do so.
